lairy
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of lairy
First recorded in 1905–10; apparently to be identified with British, especially Cockney slang lairy “cunning, knowing, conceited,” respelling (representing dialectal pronunciation) of leery 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Like betting on horses - we don't do that stuff, but we know the kind of lairy groups that do."
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2026
The Saturday or Sunday after the attack I was at Chester train station travelling on my own, and I wasn't aware it was Chester races and there were a lot of people around getting lairy.
From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2023
Their tracks, delivered in lairy Lahndn accents while rooted in speed garage and Magaluf-friendly pop, sketch out the headrush highs and impoverished lows of living for the weekend.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 28, 2018
Sunday night's headliners Kasabian have also come in for a bit of a bashing - largely from critics who look down on their lairy brand of pomp-rock.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2014
"Tol de rol lol lol, right fol lairy, Work'us," said Noah, as a tear rolled down Oliver's check.
From Dickens' Stories About Children Every Child Can Read by Charles Dickens
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
